Malta’s environment regulator has confirmed it is investigating Wasteserv for the suspected burning of imported animal carcasses at its Marsa incinerator.

Confirmation of the investigation came hours after Labour environment spokesman Leo Brincat alleged Wasteserv was possibly using its incinerator to dispose of carcasses imported from North Africa.

Mr Brincat warned the carcasses might be infected with foot and mouth disease, and called for an independent inquiry.

But a Resources Ministry spokesman denied this latter claim outright. Any animal-related waste entering Maltese ports was only brought ashore once it had been cleared and properly sealed by an official from the Veterinary Regulation Directorate, the spokesman said.

The spokesman added that Wasteserv had never disposed of carcasses originating in North Africa and that the government had no problem acceding to an independent investigation.

A Mepa spokesman said the suspicious burning had been flagged by one of its regulators in an inspection of Wasteserv’s Thermal Treatment Facility.

Although the Marsa incinerator is equipped to incinerate animal remains – and is occasionally used to incinerate local livestock carcasses – any imported waste requires an appropriate permit.

The PL called for the police to investigate together with an independent magisterial inquiry, saying it did not want a repeat of last May’s mercaptan inquiry.

An inquiry published last May into Enemalta’s illegal burning of hazardous chemical mercaptan had raised the opposition’s ire for being government-appointed rather than independent.

“It’s far too premature for any accusations, but it is our job as a responsible opposition to bring these claims to light and call for the government to investigate them,” Mr Brincat told journalists gathered outside the Marsa incinerator yesterday.